John Spencer says Timbers must get maximum pointsTimbers head coach says the team needs to win at Vancouver Sunday, but added that the Timbers will be severely tested by the Whitecaps, who will be playing in their new stadium for the first time all season.

By any league criteria, the Portland Timbers have produced a much better inaugural season than the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Timbers are fighting to earn a playoff berth and the Whitecaps are fighting only for pride. But the Timbers know pride can be a potent motivator and the Whitecaps would thoroughly enjoy helping end the Timbers' playoff aspirations.

"That's the biggest incentive (for Vancouver) is to try and stop us from getting in the playoffs," Portland coach John Spencer said after Wednesday's practice.

Seeing the Timbers compete in the playoffs while they sit at home - or whatever players do during the off-season - would represent a huge embarrassment for the Whitecaps. It's bad enough that the Timbers are involved in the playoff conversation so deep into the regular season, regardless of whether they make it to the playoffs or not.

"It looks really bad (for Vancouver) for us to be in the playoffs or be close and for them to be at the bottom of the table," goalkeeper Troy Perkins said. "Of course, they're gunning for us."

Spencer said playing at Jeld-Wen Field should help the players be prepared for playing in the Whitecaps new home, the renovated BC Place.

"We play in a new stadium and (in front) of big crowds every week, so that shouldn't affect us," Spencer said. "That shouldn't be a factor."

Perkins said the Timbers must weather the storm of Whitecaps' energy and intensity early in the game.

"The first 15 minutes will be pure adrenalin for them," Perkins said. "We've got to be men. We have to stand in there and take it. And we have to be ready to turn around and give it right back to them."